Melbourne’s commemorative events marking the 39th anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkey came to a formal end yesterday with the annual protest March to Victoria’s Parliament House.
Earlier on, at Agios Eustratios Church, in South Melbourne, a Memorial Service was held for the fallen heroes.
In this year’s commemorative events throughout the state capitals of Australia organised by PASEK, the Cypriot President Mr Nikos Anastasiadis is represented by the Minister of Health of Cyprus Dr Petros Petridis.
Talking to the marchers in Melbourne yesterday, Dr Petridis stated that “the President of The Republic Mr Nikos Anastasiadis has demonstrated that, finding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations and in line with the principles and values of the European Union, is the government’s highest priority. The government of Cyprus is determined to enter into a dialogue in order to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem the soonest possible”.
Talking to Neos Kosmos and conveying another current priority of the Cypriot Government Dr Petridis said: “What matters most at this period of time is the salvation of Cyprus from economic disaster. We are focusing our efforts at the restructuring and strengthening of our economy”.
He then went on to highlight the importance of the strategic partnership between Cyprus and Israel in regards to the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean. He also thanked the Cypriot and Greek communities of Australia for their continues support to his country.
More commemorative events marking the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on 20 July 1974, are to be held over the next few days in other state capitals of Australia.
In Adelaide on Wednesday the 17 July there will be a commemorative event at 7.00 pm, at the Cyprus Community Centre, in Welland, Adelaide.
In Brisbane on Friday the 19 July a Memorial Service will take place at 6.00 pm at St Georgios Church, in Edmonston Street, South Brisbane, followed by a wreath laying and a commemorative function at 7.00 pm, at the Cypriot Community of Brisbane and Queensland, in Vulture St, West End.
In Sydney, the events are organised for next Sunday the 21 July. At 10.00 am, at the Cathedral of Evangelismos, in Cleveland Street, Redfern, there will be a Memorial Service for the fallen heroes. At 1.30 pm a wreath laying ceremony is organised at the Sydney Cenotaph in Martin Place, to be followed at 2.15 pm by a peaceful march to Sydney Town Hall. The Cyprus Community Club of NSW, in Stanmore Road, Stanmore, will host a rally and a concert at 3.30 pm.